Man City Fans Question Haaland’s Impact After Carabao Cup Win

Manchester City fans have ignited debate around superstar striker Erling Haaland after the team comfortably dispatched Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final without relying on the Norwegian’s goals.

Man City Dominate Newcastle Without Haaland’s Scoring Touch

Erling Haaland’s absence from Manchester City’s starting lineup against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final raised eyebrows, but Pep Guardiola’s side made a powerful statement at the Etihad. Carrying a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, City extended their lead early through Omar Marmoush, who struck twice within the first 30 minutes. Tijjani Reijnders added a third before halftime, effectively sealing Newcastle’s fate.

Despite Haaland coming off the bench in the second half, he was unable to find the net and has now scored just once in his last eight appearances for the club. Manchester City ultimately triumphed 5-1 on aggregate, booking a highly anticipated final against Arsenal at Wembley.

Is Manchester City Better Without Haaland?

The emphatic win reignited discussions among supporters, many of whom took to social media to question whether City’s fluidity and press are actually improved in Haaland’s absence. Comments like “Our press is better without Haaland” and “We play so much better without him” reflected a growing sentiment that City’s tactical flexibility increases when they operate without a traditional target man up front.

Fans also highlighted how the likes of Marmoush thrive in a system that relies on dynamic movement and exploiting space behind defenses, as opposed to focusing on feeding a central striker.

Pep Guardiola Defends Haaland Amid Goal Drought

Despite the criticism and speculation, Pep Guardiola was quick to praise Haaland’s influence on the squad. “God bless that we have Erling in our team right now and all of the season. We are fortunate to have him and without him we would not be in the position we are in now,” Guardiola told reporters. He emphasized the demanding fixture schedule and the physical challenge of facing top defenders as reasons for Haaland’s temporary dip in form, remaining confident the prolific forward will soon rediscover his scoring touch.

Marmoush Shines, Eyes Hat-Trick in Man City’s New System

Omar Marmoush, who stepped up in Haaland’s absence, credited the team’s mentality and togetherness for the dominant display. “We showed a very good mentality. We were together as a team, from the first minute we were very focused on the job,” Marmoush told Sky Sports. He admitted his desire for a hat-trick but expressed satisfaction with his brace, noting that the team’s style allowed him to find the right spaces and contribute to the win.

Manchester City’s Road Ahead: Arsenal Final Awaits

With the Carabao Cup final set for Sunday, March 22, 2026, against Arsenal, City have their eyes on more silverware. In the meantime, Guardiola’s men will attempt to close the six-point gap to the Gunners at the top of the Premier League table, starting with a crucial fixture against Liverpool at Anfield. For more news on Manchester City’s journey and upcoming matches, visit for more news.

Opinion: Haaland Still Key to City’s Success—But Adaptation Is Crucial

While Manchester City’s fluid, attacking display without Haaland was impressive, it would be premature to claim the team is better off without him. The Norwegian remains one of the world’s most fearsome strikers, and his presence alone alters how opponents defend. That said, Guardiola’s willingness to adapt—giving other attackers freedom and using different tactical setups—could make City even more unpredictable and dangerous as the season reaches its climax.